EASTERN CONFERENCE

Key stat: LeBron James is making a career-best 56.5 percent of his shots, which is
all the more stunning when you consider he shot 41.7 percent as a rookie nine seasons ago.

Outlook: Milwaukee might not be the 1985-86 Chicago Bulls, who made the playoffs
despite a 30-52 record, but it deserves dishonorable mention for beep, beep, beeping into the
playoffs like a truck in reverse. The Bucks are 6-15 since a victory over Sacramento on March 10.
That’s one fewer loss than Miami has all season.

Prediction: Can we dispense with the pretense of the first three rounds and give
the Heat a bye into the Finals? Heat in four.

Key stat: The Pacers give up 90.7 points a game, second best in the league.

Outlook: Indiana plays such a physically punishing style that its home games might
seem better suited to the artificial turf of Lucas Oil Stadium. Atlanta has largely overachieved in
what was supposed to be a rebuilding season after the departure of Joe Johnson, with Al Horford and
Josh Smith giving the Hawks two of the league’s most dynamic young players.

Prediction: The inconsistent Hawks will do what they do best: win a few games but
ultimately fall short. Pacers in six.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Key stat: Oklahoma City has lost consecutive games on only three occasions this
season, showing remarkable consistency. The Thunder is 17-4 in the games following a defeat, and it
lost its regular-season finale.

Outlook: The gang’s back together again, though the reunion will be short-lived
and bittersweet. Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook might need former teammate
James Harden to win the Finals, but they have more than enough for this matchup. Houston gives up
an average of 102.5 points, 28th in the league.

Key stat: Kobe Bryant will not play in the series after suffering a torn left
Achilles tendon April 12, taking his averages of 27.3 points and 6.0 assists off the board. His
presence might be even more irreplaceable.

Outlook: The Lakers unveiled a template for beating San Antonio in their most
recent meeting, playing lockdown defense to disrupt the Spurs’ precision passing game while holding
them to 37.1 percent shooting in a 91-86 victory. But San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili, who didn’t play
in that game because of a tight hamstring, will be back for the playoffs.

Prediction: Even if Bryant calls, texts and tweets his teammates between every
quarter, one message should quickly sink in: San Antonio is simply better. Spurs in five.